Assam / Bodoland : 500 poachers, woodcutters surrender in Bodoland, Assam

Over 500 poachers and woodcutters surrendered their weapons at Chirang in western Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on Saturday, Assam officials said. Responding to an appeal by the Assam government and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) administration, over 500 poachers and woodcutters deposited their arms and ammunition at a function in Bengtol, officials said.

BTC executive member Ranjit Basumastari said the surrender of this large number of hunters and woodcutters directly involved in the felling of valuable trees, deforestation and killing of wild animals, considered an important step in protecting forest areas and wildlife. goes.

He said that soon a drive would be launched to move away from the protected forests and before that all the people living inside the forest areas would be shifted.

Basumstari said poachers and woodcutters have collected 254 hand-made guns, a huge amount of explosives and 82 wood and ammunition.

He announced that Rs 50,000 would be provided to each of the hunters and woodcutters and they would be provided with skill development training.

We first appealed to the hunters and woodcutters to surrender and deposit their arms and ammunition. Responding to our call, they have deposited their arms and ammunition in BTR creating a history in protecting the forest and wildlife.

Several other BTC executive members and officials were present at the dedication ceremony, the first of its kind in Assam.

On the occasion of World Rhino Day on 22 September, 57 poachers surrendered their weapons and wildlife parts near Raimona National Park in BTR, which covers four western Assam districts of Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri and Kokrajhar, which are located in Bhutan and West Bengal. bordered by.

Pramod Boro, chief executive member of BTC who manages BTR, also provided financial support to poachers who decided to give up poaching and take up alternative businesses.